When Memories Turn Into Nightmares
Chapter 6
That was an understatement. Cade looked the man over, expecting to spot some form of weakness. He liked to pick at weaknesses when he was bored or upset. Failing that, he looked down at his hands and shook his head. He had no idea what was going on in his life or why. What had he done lately that would cause these things to happen? "No. My sanity is shot... Are you always this friendly, Ajdari?"
With a little curl of his lip, the man placed his elbow on the counter, tilting his head as he rested his chin on two fingers. "No." He looked the white-streaked man over casually before he continued in a thoughtful voice. "I just don't want my friends gloomy." Drawing a deep breath, he picked up a lighter tone. "So something's driving you crazy? Wonder what that could be... elaborate a bit, please."
'Friends'? Was that guy mocking him? He took a gulp of his drink and paused for a few calculated moments as he considered whether or not to respond to that. There was no way he'd tell some stranger about his breakfast with his dead boyfriend, but he had a feeling not answering would only amuse the man. "... Lack of sleep. Someone else is using my apartment it seems."
A glass was put in front of Zarek, who promptly paid for it. After a drawn out sip, he turned back to look at the other man with concern. He blinked slowly as he put his drink back on the counter, then quirked a brow. "It seems? Now I'm curious... would that be someone uninvited?"
"Yes." The anger that had been slowly fading, quickly resurfaced as he thought about his day. Really bad timing, and it was so annoying having to come up with somewhere to crash for the night. His friends were probably still partying and he really didn't want to be bothered going there. Or maybe he'd find a one-night-stand who'd take him back to their place. He opened his mouth to say more, but decided against it. Last thing he wanted was to have to answer more questions.
Zarek's fingers were drumming idly up the dark olive cheek when he finally brought the silence to an end. "Pardon me for saying so, but you don't seem like the kind of guy to put up with people just showing up and making themselves comfortable." Before he went on, the concerned yet comfortable air made way for a slight frown as he nodded at Cade's arm. "Now if I'm not mistaken, you seem short a jacket, and that burn looks fresh..."
Why wasn't he surprised? Whenever he wanted someone to stop talking to him, it never failed to get them to talk more. He glanced down at his burn. He had forgotten about that. The pain in his back had taken all his attention during the day, so he hadn't had the chance to bother seeing to that arm, let alone think of a tangible lie to explain it. "What? Don't you like my Halloween costume? I thought burns were all the rage this year."
"Tells you what I know, then." The man broke out into an amused chuckle as he squinted his eyes for a better look at it. Draining quite a bit of his beer, Zarek turned to watch two men argue loudly over by the gambling table, seeming a bit worried at first. As soon as the event had resolved to his apparent satisfaction, he turned back to Cade. He arched his back in a brief stretch before he spoke calmly. "Look, if you want a cheerleader when you throw them out, just let me know... I can spare a couple of hours and haven't seen a good fight in over a week."
"I'm not going to be throwing them out." Cade studied his watch for a second, willing the second hand to tick backwards. No such luck. Oh well, maybe next time. "As much as I love the sound of breaking bones... I decided not to bother this time."
Letting out a playfully disappointed sigh, Zarek smirked at him before downing more of his beverage. "Sounds like they might not be there to me..." He pulled a hand through his hair and shrugged. "People who are running about and attack from behind are tricky, but I've got a place they'd never dare look for you." A smile slowly spread across his face as he gazed at the other man, his voice lowering considerably. "Nice place, just you and me..." He chuckled briefly, before adding, "Don't worry, I've got two bedrooms."
The answer to his problems. A safe place was hard to imagine, but as strange as that Zarek guy was, he seemed like the trustworthy sort. The white-streaked man trusted his instincts, and so far he had no bad vibes from that guy. He considered the offer, not wanting to seem too eager. He finished off his beer and glanced around, weighing the alternatives against that option. Not having to perform in order to get some rest was very welcome. "What's the catch?"
With a knowing smirk, Zarek leant closer, his voice lowered enough that the people nearby would have a hard time making out what he was saying. "I have a fair idea about who is involved, and the catch is very simple. If we both meet them at some point in the future, I have dibs on the sinister trenchcoat guy. Deal?"
Cade froze immediately. The guy knew? That guy seemed to know everything, but after thinking about it, he realised that wasn't a big surprise. He remembered when he was still in the crime circles, a person in his territory couldn't do a damn thing without him knowing about it. But still it was weird. The only way informants would know about it would be if it wasn't random. Someone had to be targetting him specifically, and maybe that thing that morning had something to do with it? Would they drug him to make him hallucinate?
Decision made, he nodded at the guy. "It's a deal."
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They said he had everything!
They were wrong. Nothing in his empty life provided the excitement he sought. Money? Phah! They clutched safety - or the notion of safety - as if it was a valuable treasure. Why? Where's the value in making the boredom last forever and a day? He knew they'd find him crazy for posing that question, so he never asked. A smirk crept upon his face as he added silently, 'I'll show them instead.'
He quickly changed from an outfit he was more commonly seen in, to a thick, dark blue robe. His head was soon covered in a large hood of red and silver, and once he was sure noone was nearby, he slipped outside. It felt refreshing to assume this persona again; he had done it once before, just over five years ago. That had worked out according to plan, his target being just as easy to... 'convince' as he had expected. Now, the call for help had arrived, and he was only too happy to oblige.
Unfortunately, the distance involved wouldn't allow for sneaking all the way. As fun as that would have been, he needed to be back before sunrise. So, grudgingly, he stole a car and was on his way. To the unsuspecting observer, that may have seemed a strange choice; the same onlooker would assume from his behaviour that he was trying his best not to be caught. However, while that was true, the thrill would be nowhere near the same without the risk involved.
The trip itself was almost disappointingly uneventful. He dropped the letter off in the man's mailbox, then promptly turned around to head back. Silently wishing for someone to spot him, to confront him. Something to work his way out of. A police officer, maybe? Nah. He could wait. There would be larger sharks to swim with soon. And soon they would all be dead. They were surely no match for his schemes.
He snickered to himself as he reentered his own domain. The most exciting week of the century was about to begin.
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This is a collab, written together with Chlover. You can find her author profile here: http://original.adult-fanfiction.org/authors.php?no=26260
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Author's note: Okay, we didn't say who the guy in the second scene here is. That is on purpose. By all means try to figure it out, but when you know, don't post the certain answer in reviews, please. :)